Meta, Rethinks, Introduces Ads on WhatsApp Status and Channels

Meta has announced a major change by introducing ads on WhatsApp status and channels, the popular messaging app used by over 3 billion people worldwide. For the first time since Meta acquired WhatsApp in 2014, businesses will be able to run advertisements on the platform, specifically in the WhatsApp status and channels sections. This marks a big shift from WhatsApp’s long-standing tradition of being ad-free.

The new ads will appear only in the “Updates” tab of WhatsApp, which includes the Status feature and Channels. This means users will not see ads in their personal or group chats, keeping their private conversations free from interruptions. Meta says this approach respects users’ privacy and keeps ads separate from personal messages.

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The status ads will work similarly to Instagram Stories ads, showing photos, videos, or text that disappear after 24 hours. Businesses can use these ads to encourage users to interact with them through WhatsApp’s messaging features, making it easier for companies to connect with customers directly on the app.

In addition to ads on Status, Meta will also monetize WhatsApp Channels. Channel administrators, such as small businesses or brands, will be able to pay to promote their channels in the app’s directory, helping them reach more followers. Users will also have the option to subscribe to channels for exclusive content, with Meta planning to take a share of the subscription revenue in the future.

Meta has emphasized that personal messages, calls, and statuses will remain end-to-end encrypted. This means that neither Meta nor advertisers can see the content of private chats or calls. The ads will be targeted using basic information such as users’ location, device language, the channels they follow, and their interaction with ads, but not the content of their personal messages.

This move comes as part of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plan to make WhatsApp a bigger part of the company’s business strategy. With 3 billion monthly users and 200 million businesses already using WhatsApp, Meta sees the platform as the “next chapter” for growth and revenue.

The introduction of ads on WhatsApp is a significant change from the app’s original promise. When WhatsApp was founded, its motto was “No ads! No games! No gimmicks!” However, the app’s founders left after disagreements with Facebook executives who wanted to introduce ads. Meta now believes it can add ads in ways that do not disrupt users’ personal chats, focusing on the Updates tab as the right place for this new feature.

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Meta’s decision to add ads on WhatsApp also comes amid ongoing legal challenges, including an antitrust case with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The company is looking for new ways to monetize its services beyond Facebook and Instagram ads.

Meta introduces ads on WhatsApp status and channels to help businesses connect with users while keeping personal conversations private. Ads will appear only in the Updates tab, preserving the app’s core messaging experience. This change marks a new era for WhatsApp as it becomes a more important part of Meta’s advertising ecosystem.

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